Kashmir Sankalp Yatra, which commenced from New Delhi on June 30, reached USA in first week of July. Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM), who is leading the Yatra attended KOA'sAnnual Camp at Moodus in the state of Connectcut. This four-day Silver Jubilee Camp was attended by 125 families of Kashmiri Pandits living in the continent of North America. The five-member Indian delegation, which was invited to attend the camp besides Shri Chrungoo included Shri Ashok Pandit, film maker, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, noted musician, Neerja Pandit, singer and Abhai Sopori. The noted artists enthralled the gathering of 450 people with their presentations all four days of the camp.
The organisers of the camp conferred an Honour of Appreciation to Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo and Shri Ashok Pandit. Shri Pandit was conferred this honour for his efforts to highlight the cause of Kashmiri Pandit community at various levels over the last 15 years. Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo was conferred the Honour in recognition of his commitment, dedication and selfless services to the Kashmiri Pandit community to protect and promote its political and human rights interests throughout his decade long mission at national and international levels. Shri Sanjay Kaul, organiser of the Camp, conferred the Honour upon the dignitaries. Shri Chrungoo presented a portrait of Mata Vitasta to Shri Sunil Fotedar, president of Kashmir Overseas Association.
In his address Shri Chrungoo dwelt at length on the historical context of the present plight of the community. He highlighted the sacrifices made by Guru Tegh Bahadur, the family of Pt. Birbal Dhar and Vasudev Harkar to save the community. He made it clear that the community needs to make a number of sacrifices to achieve its desired goals. He elaborated upon the homeland thought process and action on the ground over the last two decades. The role played by the PKM and other community organisations was brought into focus during the address. He said the present row on Amaranth Shrine is the manifestation of plans which are aimed at Islamic colonisation of Kashmir. The Kashmiri Pandits as the indigenous people of Kashmir have a right on the territory of Kashmir and Amaranth Shrine is an inseparable part of their cultural ethos. The Hindus in general have a great faith in the shrine and thus have a legal and natural right in its protection and promotion. The role played by the separatist elements hands in glove with the political parties of Kashmir speaks of their historical intent of ethnic cleansing of Kashmir. The Panun Kashmir Movement shall continue to expose this grand design of Islamisation of Kashmir on all available fronts in and outside India.
Shri Chrungoo was accorded a standing ovation by the audience and requested to make presentations in other states of USA during his stay in the country. He is supposed to address a number of seminars and symposiums on Kashmir over the next two weeks. The Camp expressed its full support and sympathy with the people fighting for their rights in Jammu in connection with the Amaranth issue.
